In a new public memo Monday morning, the White House is following up on House Speaker Mike Johnson’s stance on ongoing border security and additional funding talks.
The comments came after Johnson dismissed President Biden’s support for these negotiations, arguing that it was the Democratic administration’s policies and executive actions, not current law, that fueled the border crisis.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, referring to the border security bill that Democrats say is lame, saying, “Until recently, Chairman Johnson was pushing for HR2. required new legal authority.” “Furthermore, the Trump administration made the same point, with the full support of then-Congressman Mike Johnson.”
“If Chairman Johnson, like President Biden and Republicans and Democrats in Congress, continues to believe that immediate action on the border is urgent, then It should be given to this government,” Jean-Pierre said.
The border deal could cost more than $14 billion, but Republican lawmakers are uneasy about the bill’s text.
President Biden (right) and Speaker Mike Johnson are once again at odds over who has the authority to close the border. (Getty Images)
Mr Johnson’s press secretary, Raj Shah, hit back at Mr Jean-Pierre, insisting that Mr Johnson had been consistent that “national security begins at our borders”.
“The Border Security Act codifies this principle into federal law, and he continues to urge the Senate and the President to support it or similar legislation,” Shah told Fox News Digital. told.
“But make no mistake, President Biden promised on Friday to ‘close the border.’ But with one stroke of a pen, he could start restoring Remain in Mexico, ending catch-and-release, and reforming asylum and parole standards. His refusal would put our national sovereignty at risk. ”
Biden promised on Friday that he would “close the border” if the bill the Senate is considering becomes law.
In response, Prime Minister Johnson said: “President Biden falsely claimed yesterday that Congress needed to pass new legislation to close the southern border, which he knows is false.” “There is,” he said.
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Texas National Guard troops stand by as law enforcement near the Rio Grande River boat ramp on January 26, 2024, at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas. (Photo by Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images)
The chairman sent a letter to Biden late last year urging him to take executive action on border issues.
“As I stated in my letter, President Biden will end catch-and-release, end the use of parole powers, reinstate the Remain in Mexico program, expand the use of expedited removal powers, and build a border wall. By reopening, we can begin to secure our borders,” Mr Johnson said on Friday.
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“The president must start by using the broad legal powers he already has to restore our sovereignty and end the mass influx of illegal aliens into our country,” Johnson said. he added.
Jean-Pierre’s memo on Monday also noted that Johnson’s letter also says “legislative reforms aimed at restoring operational control at the southern border must be enacted.”
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson in a statement Monday. (Andrew Thomas/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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He also cited then-President Trump’s past comments calling on Democrats to pass border and immigration reform and close “loopholes” in the system.
A bipartisan group of senators has been negotiating with the Biden administration for weeks on measures to stem the ongoing immigration crisis. Republicans in the House and Senate say such reforms are essential to support Democrats’ request for $106 billion in additional funding to fund issues such as Ukraine and Israel.
